How does SPL compare to how loud things sound?
I mentioned this briefly at the start of this page, but some further examples would be instructive. The easiest way to understand SPL and decibels is that adding 6dB to your SPL doubles your perceived loudness: reducing your SPL 6dB halves your perceived loudness. So if I decide my stereo needs to be twice as loud, I know that I need to increase my SPL by 6dB. Note with the current in car SPL record you can’t actually be in the car at the time – unless you want to be instantly, permanently deafened. Little point to this, methinks. For the average, good quality car stereo, you are really looking at a maximum SPL of between 100dB and 120dB, depending upon tastes. Higher SPLs will just be uncomfortable to listen to, and will also tend to cause vehicle body panels to vibrate enough that from outside, the car will be heard to “rasp”, to use the polite word, in time to your music. Not very impressive, I can assure you. How does SPL depend on power? If we increase our amplifier power, how doe
